The Omicron variant of COVID-19 does not pose as a force to be reckoned as the Delta variant, where its death rate and recovery efforts proved to be much less. But many people in Indonesia are still hesitant to complete their second dose, in particular for the elderly. Recent facts have shown that people tend to underestimate this variant due to its mild effects and this consequently affects their enthusiasm to be vaccinated.

On February 25, 2022, the Breakthrough ACTION team actively Community Engagement (RCCE) Working Group #22 Discussion titled “Variant of Concern: How Dangerous is Omicron?”. Other speakers included an epidemiology expert from the University of Indonesia, Pandu Riono, an expert from the University of Münster, and Doctor Upi Supriyatiningsih. They emphasized that no matter what kind of variant that emerges and how minor the impact is, people must take up vaccines and stick by the health protocol. We do not know how dangerous the new variant could be, or when a variant mutates.

“The mutated virus may already be in the community, go undetected, and spread during Lebaran like last year. And now, it could just so happen during Christmas and New Year’s. Until there are so many (Omicron cases) that have gathered, then it will be easier to detect.”

Dr. Pandu Riono, MPH., Ph.D, Epidemiology Expert.

Doctor Upi also drew from the data in Germany which She stated that, “There is a connection between people who do not want to be vaccinated and their level of education. Even in a developed country such as Germany, 30% of the people are adamant that they do not want to be vaccinated and they are well-educated. So, dissemination of information is key to engaging this group of people who are don’t believe in the impact of vaccines and the virus and ultimately addressing the barrier towards immunity”.

Dian Rosdiana, Communication team leader for the Breakthrough ACTION for COVID-19 (BA for COVID-19) project in Indonesia emphasized the qualitative assessment results conducted by the program, “People believe  that  vaccines  cannot  prevent  infection and re-infection. Moreover, people are anxious about the side effects that could emerge with it. Others perceive those vaccines are only useful so people can travel freely, so it would be more beneficial for people who are at their productive age”. Despite all those beliefs, the fact remains that there are very few losses incurred by getting a shot of vaccine compared to not being vaccinated at all. Therefore, the vaccination protocol must be upheld at all costs.

We need to keep encouraging people more, and not let up. Vaccines aren’t meant to be a cure. Vaccines can’t prevent the COVID-19 spread but can reduce the severity of the symptoms, especially for those with comorbid diseases. Vaccines are not the cause of malady or even death, as it is simply a virus that is weakened and modified for our body to adjust its protection and be ready for the real one. With the support of USAID, the Ministry of Health is working hard with the local groups and organizations through the BA for COVID-19 program to spread this message and reach out to promote the urgency of completing the doses of COVID-19 vaccines and that maintaining health protocol is the best way to get out of this pandemic.